We reached a settlement agreement with the FAA re: ATC fees for AirVenture

[Hal Bryan]

Here's the link to the full story, including full text of the legal agreements:

http://eaa.org/news/2014/2014-03-21_eaa-faa-reach-agreement-on-airventure-atc-costs.asp

[Jim Heffelfinger]

Glad to see an agreement that has a future.

[Kevin O'Halloran]

How can the FAA ever show up to Oshkosh as they have in the past ?
I can remember going to a "meet the administrator" question and answer gathering
I came away thinking they were not my "friend" but they were not out to get me either.
If they had the gathering now--people would throw rocks at them
sad to say--it will from now on be a "us versus them"

[flibmeister]

Other than taking the uncertainty out of the situation, what was gained by this settlement? It appears that EAA has agreed to pay, for the next nine years, the same costs for which they were assessed in 2013.

[tspear]

Other than taking the uncertainty out of the situation, what was gained by this settlement? It appears that EAA has agreed to pay, for the next nine years, the same costs for which they were assessed in 2013.

Actually the costs should be a lot lower. The FAA assessment last assumed all ATC staff was paid and required massive overtime. Per this press release, EAA will only have to cover costs for the overages since all staff at the event will now be volunteers.

Tim

[flibmeister]

Actually the costs should be a lot lower. The FAA assessment last assumed all ATC staff was paid and required massive overtime. Per this press release, EAA will only have to cover costs for the overages since all staff at the event will now be volunteers.

Tim

Not true, I'm afraid. The controllers working OSH have always been "volunteers" in the sense that they request such duty (as opposed to being involuntarily assigned to it). They're paid their standard hourly rate and receive time-and-a-half only if they work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, just as if they were working at their home facility. There's nothing in the agreement to indicate that's changed.

The amount of overtime used at the event itself is insignificant. However, if a controller is working at OSH, that means there's a hole in the schedule at his home facility-- and if the FAA has to call in overtime at the home facility to fill that hole, that overtime cost is passed on to the event organizer.

After reading the EAA Q&A on the subject (http://eaa.org/news/2014/2014-03-21_...services.asp#1) it's clear they expect no cost savings: "The FAA will charge EAA its actual cost for the same elements that were charged for in 2013: travel; backfill overtime (for FAA personnel who fill in for the controllers and others who have come to Oshkosh); supplies; and overhead; all at FAA's standard rates."

I think a better subject for this thread would be, "EAA Folds, re: ATC Fees for Airventure." EAA has chosen to rollover on the issue to insure certainty and stability-- understandable, but it sets a precedent for all such events, even though there's been no fair hearing as to whether the FAA has the right to impose such user fees in the first place.

[jjhoneck]

Color me disgusted, disappointed, and angry.

It will be impossible to stop users fees now, thanks to EAA -- the organization I was counting on to save us from double taxation.

I love Oshkosh. This will be my 32nd consecutive trip to Wittman Field. But I would have gladly sacrificed 2014 to make this point .

[Sonex1517]

I cannot believe EAA did this. Unacceptable.

To me this proves what I suspected for years. EAA has completely and totally lost its way, and now has placed their own self interests ahead that of general/sport aviation.

I won't be renewing my membership as a direct result of this fiasco.

[TedK]

​Hal - more questions for Jack and the webcast.

Given that this capitulation may have set a horrible precedent for GA User Fees, and perhaps EAA considered it would be best fought with Airventure fully functioning,...

What will be EAA's Legislative Agenda to achieve a statutory prohibition on User Fees? (This is EAA's chance to redeem themselves)

How will EAA keep the membership informed before the fact, and most importantly, engaged?

[pilotgirlbuf]

I'm seriously appalled by this whole thing. I'm not very sure what to say over this as well. if theres a chance to redeem yourselves, EAA, better do it quick. I'll be thinking about pulling my membership as well, and that is sad.